Improvement in mowing-machines



2 Sheets-Sheetl T. J. HOWE, 8?; H'. N. LABARE.

Mowing-Machine.

M. F. LOWTH Patented Oct. 16, I877.

%%ITN ESSES N: PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGR 2 Shegts-Sl1eet2. M. P. LOWTH, T. J. HOWE, & H. N. LABARE.

Mam a WITNESSES ATTORN EY N PETER8, FHOTO-LITHOGRAFHEIL WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT MICHAEL F. LOXVTH, THOMAS J. HOWE, AND HENRY N. LABARE, OF

OWATONNA,

MINNESOTA.

IMPROVEMENT IN MOWlNG-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,238, dated October 16, 1877; application filed May 23, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MICHAEL F. Lovv'rn, THOMAS J .How'n, and HENRY N. LABARE, of Owatonna, in the county of Steele and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mowers, of which the following is a specification:

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the rocking.

sleeve. Fig. 3 shows the casting in which the coupling-arm is attached. Fig. 4 shows means for holding cutter-barlfor transportation. Fig.

5 shows the front end of the push-bar L with its hook. Fig. 6 shows the skeleton frame M with its cam-wedge Q.

A represents the main frame of a mower. B is the axle, and O O the driving-wheels. D represents the coupling-arm, one end of which is now shown, in Figs. 1 and 3, as pivoted between two cars, a a, projecting from a casting, E, secured to the frame; but in ordinary construction the ball-and-socket joint may be preferred. This casting is provided with slots 1) I), through which the fastening screws cl are passed, whereby said casting maybe moved a certain distance back and forth, for the purpose of adjusting the finger-bar and its guards with relation to the sickle-bar.

()n the other end of the coupling-bar D is placed a rocking sleeve, G, provided at its i11- ner end with a lug, 0, connected by a rod, h, with the front end of the shoe H, said shoe h. ving a projecting pin, 43, entering an eye in the end of the rod.

The outer end of the rocking sleeve G is hinged to the shoe H, to which the finger-bar I is attached, said hinge being made by means of a cap formedon the shoe, so that the finger and cutter bars will be quite a distance below the center of the rocking sleeve. The sleeve G is also provided with a lug, k, for the attachment of the front end of the slotted connecting-bar J, for the purpose of tilting the cuttor-bar.

The rear end of the connecting-bar J is provided with a longitudinal slot, j, for the purpose of allowing the said connecting-bar J to slide longitudinally, when the front of the finger-bar is raised by passing over stones or abrupt obstructions also, to allow the fin ger-bar to be folded for transportation, said slot passing over a pin, n, projecting from the tilting lever, K, which is pivoted at its lower end, as shown. This tilting lever is provided with a lock or catch, 19, to prevent the point of the guards from turning down when the cutter-bar is tilted up. L represents the push-bar, pivoted at its rear end, and its front end encircling the sleeve G in a circumferential groove formed thereon.

Fig. 5 represents the front end of the pushbar L. l is a hook or stop on the inner part, that encircles the sleeve G, which comes in contact with a corresponding recess in the sleeve G, when the finger-bar is at work on the ground,

or is raised bodily from the ground by the chain S, the hook I preventing the sleeve and fingerbar from rolling forward too far, thus preventin g the guards from turning down. The recess in the sleeve is made so as to allow the points of the guards to turn up. This connection is such that the point of resistance is nearly central on the rocking sleeve.

On the sleeve G is also a skeleton frame, M, composed of two connected collars placed loosely thereon, and having, on the end adjoining the shoe H, a cam-shaped projection, on. This frame and the end of the bar D may be raised or lowered by means of the chain 8 and lever N, and in these motions the cam proj ection will be made to operate on the shoe H, through the projections h, or like means, and thus the outer end of the cutter-bar may be raised or lowered.

On the end of the axle or driving-shaft B is a washer, 0, provided with an inwardly-projecting stud, 0, which is designed to fit into the hole :0 on the finger-bar, and thus hold it securely in the transportation or carriage of the machine. This washer has pre rably a longitudinal motion on the axle, toenable it to be retracted for the insertion of said projecteasily, 7 V

. ing pin into the holemofthe finger-bar. 1 'When the bar is thus fired, having se ne-upward and outwardpressure, itwill, be thus kept firmly and securely in place. The adjustment upon or; release from this position is omanaged very mower will runover any iiregnlarities or f ineqnalitiesin the groinnL-andcut the'grass clean andclose, the same as on a perfect plane.

: r The cutter-bar ZbGlll quite a distance below the rcenterof the rocking sleeve gives a de lcidcd lex erag'e to turn down the guards when the machine is at work.

I It will also be seal that a large proportion 10f theweight of the shoe and cutter-bar is in front of the. C(AltGPOf the coupling-arm and* the shoe H, 'andcntter andrfinger bars, sub

rocking sleeve, all of which has a tendency to I turn the cnttei bar down while at work.

llaving described our invention, what we 7 claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The combination of the coupling-arm D,

pivoted adjustably at one end, as described,

the roching'sleeveG,:n1ounted at the other 7 end thereof, with the shoe H, and the cutter purposes set forth; 7 r 7 2. The combination of the connecting-bar J,

provided at its end with a slot, j, the tilting' lever K,h aving' a 1)l11,*2b', and the rocking sleeve 7 G, having lug is, substantially as described; 7

3. The'puslrbarL, having hook l, in. (zombi Y nation with. the rocking sleeve G, having the recess, all constructed and operating snbstan tially'as setforth; r i V 4. Thecombination ofthe slotted connectlllg-billalQCklllg sleeve, eonplingwrin, and

push-bar, all arranged as described, whereby the cutter is allowed automatically tofollow the contour of: the ground, substantially as set forth. r

The combination of the rocking sleeve G" with frame'M, chain is, and lever N, substantially asandrorthe purposes set forth; 7

6.: The combination of the longitudinally movable: washer 0, having the inwardly-pro -jecting stndo,with the fingenbar having a 1 perforation at .00, substantially and for thepn'r iioses set forth.

M,havin g cam projection on, as described, with stantially as set forth. 7 In testimony thatwe 'claim'tl 1e foregoingas 7 our own we now affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

V MICHAEL 1i Lowrn;

V THOMAS JQHOWE.

V HENRY N. LABARE,

Witnesses:

EDWIN K. BURCH, 'Jmrns FIsK.

7; The combination of the rocking sleeve G, placed on the bar I), and 'cairyiiig the frame 

